Speech

Since we are posting speeches, here's my grad speech from today: It went well. I love a microphone.

I'd like to welcome the graduating class of 2007 to the MRT tea. I congratulate each of you, your parents, extended family, signifcant others and friends.

To the class of 2007 you knew what you had to do to get to this college and to graduate from it. Each year more the 300 people apply to the 24 seats in this program. It is an accomplishment to even get into the program.

I want all of you to know how proud all of your teachers are of your accomplishments. As instructors it is amazing to see students come in on the first day you don't know the difference between a mandible and a patella and by the end of the 21 months are accomplished technologists who can take 10 different x-rays of a mandibles and patellas. This program has not only taught you the language of x-ray but survival skills for the real world, stress management, multitasking and dealing with difficult people. We are so excited to see you join our profession.

I know the past 21 months have been difficult for you. In your interviews I'm sure most of you quoted the work load was going to be the most difficult thing, and I'm sure it was. In first two semesters there is so much new information and exams and projects. Do you remember the first time you touched an x-ray tube or in your first radiographic anatomy class trying to write down all the bones you could think of. In the second year it's how many competencies do I need? And will this go in my logbook. Do you remember the first time you took an x-ray on a real live person? This stress has even effected the most laid back students. In the last part of practicum I received this e-mail from Robert:


I'm Done I finished. I got my AC-Joints Hooray I won't be working now
this weekend. I Feel better I was stressed out for like 10 minutes
there.


You should all be so proud of what you have accomplished. You have been an outstanding class and as you go forward you are fortunate to have so many opportunities available to you. The unfortunate, yet truly exciting thing about your life, is that there is no core curriculum. The entire place is an elective. The paths are infinite and the results uncertain. So if there’s any real advice I can give you it’s this.

College is something you complete. Life is something you experience. So don’t worry about your grade, or the results or success. Success is defined in myriad ways, and you will find it, and people will no longer be grading you, but it will come from your own internal sense of decency. I encourage you to love what you do, Continue to learn, enjoy making your own descions on if you will accept and x-ray or repeat it.

Please join me in congraduationg the SAIT MRT class of 2007.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn